George Gee
Encyclopedia
George William Gee was the first person to be hanged in the town of Woodstock, New Brunswick
, Canada
. He was tried for the murder of Miss Millie Gee, his cousin and ex-lover. The trial took place in the Old Carleton County Court House
, and he was hanged in the Woodstock Gaol.
On Saturday, 12 March 1904, George arrived at Bennie's residence with a Lee Enfield Rifle
that he had borrowed from a Lt. Weldon W. Melville. He had been drinking steadily for most of the afternoon, but was friendly enough when he arrived, and left the rifle at the door. He stayed late, playing cards with Bennie and continuing to drink until three in the morning, when George announced that he should leave and was helped to the door by Millie.
As he was going out he uttered his later famous words, I suppose you don't know that this is the night you're going to die. He then turned around, picked up the rifle and fired. The bullet ricocheted off the frame of the door and entered Millie's chest, knocking her to the floor.
Hearing the shot, Bennie ran to the door. George fired twice in his direction but missed. He then fled. After a time he walked the long distance to a phone and called Sheriff Foster to turn himself in.
Three doctors were called to attend Millie, but they could not save her life. She died the following Wednesday a short time after giving her deposition to Sheriff Foster.
Gee pleaded not guilty and the calling of witnesses began. In all, 23 were called, most of them close friends and relatives. In his closing arguments Ketchum pleaded with the jury that Gee was insane, drunk, and too poor to mount a proper defense. He claimed a charge of manslaughter
would be more appropriate. His full argument lasted a full hour and left Gee in tears.
The crown argued that the crime was premeditated and that Gee couldn't have been insane, as he had obviously realized his crime when he turned himself in.
The jury deliberated for only 45 minutes before they returned a verdict of guilty. Judge Tucker sentenced Gee to hang on the grounds of the (then) new jail.
Woodstock, New Brunswick
Woodstock is a Canadian town in Carleton County, New Brunswick located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River, 92 km west of Fredericton and close to the Canada – United States border and Houlton, Maine.- History :Woodstock was settled by Loyalists...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was tried for the murder of Miss Millie Gee, his cousin and ex-lover. The trial took place in the Old Carleton County Court House
Old Carleton County Court House
The Old Carleton County Court House is located at 19 Court Street in Upper Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada.The Court house was built in 1833. A new court house was constructed, obviating the need for the old one, which was used as a horse barn until 1966 when it was purchased by the Carleton...
, and he was hanged in the Woodstock Gaol.
The murder
George and Millie had been seeing each other for three or four years, when Millie lost interest and asked him not to see her anymore. Shortly thereafter, she was hired to look after the house and children of Bennie Gee because his wife had left him. She stayed in the house next door with Bennie's sister Catherine and her husband Daniel Crane.On Saturday, 12 March 1904, George arrived at Bennie's residence with a Lee Enfield Rifle
Lee-Enfield
The Lee-Enfield bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle was the main firearm used by the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century...
that he had borrowed from a Lt. Weldon W. Melville. He had been drinking steadily for most of the afternoon, but was friendly enough when he arrived, and left the rifle at the door. He stayed late, playing cards with Bennie and continuing to drink until three in the morning, when George announced that he should leave and was helped to the door by Millie.
As he was going out he uttered his later famous words, I suppose you don't know that this is the night you're going to die. He then turned around, picked up the rifle and fired. The bullet ricocheted off the frame of the door and entered Millie's chest, knocking her to the floor.
Hearing the shot, Bennie ran to the door. George fired twice in his direction but missed. He then fled. After a time he walked the long distance to a phone and called Sheriff Foster to turn himself in.
Three doctors were called to attend Millie, but they could not save her life. She died the following Wednesday a short time after giving her deposition to Sheriff Foster.
The trial
After a preliminary hearing, the trial was set for 26 April 1904 with Judge Tucker presiding. Attorney General Pugsley was for the Crown. J. Chipman Hartley and T C L Ketchum were for the defense.Gee pleaded not guilty and the calling of witnesses began. In all, 23 were called, most of them close friends and relatives. In his closing arguments Ketchum pleaded with the jury that Gee was insane, drunk, and too poor to mount a proper defense. He claimed a charge of manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
would be more appropriate. His full argument lasted a full hour and left Gee in tears.
The crown argued that the crime was premeditated and that Gee couldn't have been insane, as he had obviously realized his crime when he turned himself in.
The jury deliberated for only 45 minutes before they returned a verdict of guilty. Judge Tucker sentenced Gee to hang on the grounds of the (then) new jail.